What is…

Inspired by the arts of Budo, Georges Stobbaerts created Tenchi Tessen. Fruit of long maturation, this art of movement was developed through the practice of the Japanese Arts of Budo in the classical sense and, particularly, of Iaido and Aikido as well as Yoga and Zen which provide its foundations.

It is an art in constant evolution. Like all other “Arts of Movement” which, on account of their freedom, are rooted in continuous search, it cannot not be pinned down to a precise definition.

Tenchi Tessen “Art of Movement” may also be considered an “Art of Living” in the real spirit of non-violence (Sanskrit: ahimsa). The group which practices this art unites, without any discrimination, people from all walks of life, from Budo teachers to men and women from a wide range of origins and professions.

This art also stems from the study of various aspects of eastern and western philosophy and culture, in effect positioning itself as a bridge between East and West.

Based on the spiritual values of “Universal Tradition”, Tenchi Tessen is a new corporal approach. The Japanese meanings of the words that constitute its name are:

Ten: Heaven

Chi: Earth

Tessen: Fan (symbol of the Breath)

This “Art of Movement” allows one to simultaneously increase the flexibility of the body and harmoniously develop and activate the circulation of internal energies.

The characteristics of this discipline that give rise to its consideration as an “Art of Living” are primarily self-knowledge and communication with others and the surrounding world.

Tenchi Tessen invites the practitioner to inhabit a “precise space”, thus discovering his corporal pattern. By practising this art, the student learns to feel the world which surrounds him and, simultaneously be aware of the presence of other practitioners, becoming ONE with all around him.

Although Tenchi Tessen is an art of living, it retains certain characteristics inherent to the Arts of Budo which encourage the practitioner to develop spontaneity and freedom of expression and, consequently, flexibility and openness of spirit based on the principle of katsujin no ken or “the sabre that gives life”. Here the sabre is substituted by the fan.

In this “Art of Movement” the objective is not combat. However, the practitioner learns to develop certain characteristics inherent to combat, such as: the spirit of watchfulness (Japanese zanshin) and the commitment that any discipline demands in order to attain the intensity and level of skill required. All this is achieved by means of continuous, dedicated repetition in much the same way as a musician must ceaselessly practice a piece of music. When the practitioner learns to execute a movement without thinking one of the key objectives has been achieved. Like the artist, who, having worked for a long time, trusts in his intuition in the endless search for beauty, harmony and fluidity of movement, the Tenchi Tessen practitioner aspires to ongoing improvement before surrendering himself to inspiration and improvisation. We bring to mind the words of the Masters of Movement: the true essence of beauty is the joy of finding it in everything.

Tenchi Tessen can also become a spiritual path. Each is free to choose for himself. This path permits the evolution of man, the evolution that leads to Unity, unity of body and spirit which is specific to all spiritual Paths.